Junior forward/guard Ryan Fazekas, right, who sat out last season after transferring from Providence, looks to make a move in Valparaiso's exhibition against Indianapolis on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018.

Junior forward/guard Ryan Fazekas, right, who sat out last season after transferring from Providence, looks to make a move in Valparaiso's exhibition against Indianapolis on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso junior Ryan Fazekas didn’t recall the last time he competed in a game that counted.

“Can’t tell you who we played, it’s been so long,” he said.

For the record, the game was Providence’s 75-71 loss to USC in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament on March 15, 2017.

The 6-foot-7 forward/guard and Marquette graduate went scoreless with one rebound in four minutes for the Friars.

After sitting out last season following his transfer from Providence, Fazekas is set for his official debut with the Crusaders as they open the regular season at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Concordia Chicago at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

The mixture of excitement and nerves Fazekas experienced in Valparaiso’s closed scrimmage against Illinois-Chicago and exhibition against Indianapolis figures to intensify as the games begin for real.

“I just want to be a team leader, an energy guy, just holding us together,” Fazekas said. “When guys get dunking, I’ll be hootin’ and hollerin’. I get excited.

“I’ll just let the game come to me. I’m not going to be hunting for it. I’m just going to go out there and do my job, execute our plan.”

Fazekas, Marquette’s career scoring leader who lifted the program to a Class A state title in consecutive championship game appearances, factors prominently in the Crusaders’ plans.

Coach Matt Lottich cautioned against heaping expectations on the hometown hero, but he clearly has been looking forward to the Chesterton native becoming eligible.

“The (Missouri) Valley teams do an unbelievable job of scouting,” Lottich said. “They take away a lot of action. They all move to the basketball really well.

“But if Ryan is in one of those help positions, am I going to help on the ball or am I going to give up an open three to a young man who can really shoot it? He really spaces the floor very, very well.”

Fazekas, who in his return to the Region has enjoyed the additional time spent with family members and friends, did not enjoy sitting out last season. But he seized the opportunity to expand his game and to get healthy.

Fazekas’ calling card remains his shooting, but he believes he has developed in other areas.

“Just the ability to find other ways to score, not just shooting the three — coming off the dribble, pull-ups, getting to the hole,” Fazekas said.

Fazekas also said his “body feels better than ever.”

He underwent surgery on his left shoulder on May 31, 2017, having played much of his sophomore season hindered by the injury.

Rehabilitation took six months, followed by an additional bout with tendinitis.

As a freshman, Fazekas missed a month with mononucleosis. He also has dealt with chronic ankle problems, an issue that has improved dramatically.

“I rolled my ankles at Providence all the time, but I’ve been able to strengthen them,” Fazekas said. “I went from playing with my ankles taped every practice and every game to not even having my ankles taped any more. I feel confident enough to play without tape.”

The Crusaders have confidence Fazekas will be a major contributor.

Count sophomore forward/center Mileek McMillan, a Merrillville graduate, among those who doubt Fazekas will have many repeats of his 1-for-11 shooting performance from their exhibition loss to Indianapolis.

“Ryan’s a great shooter — he’s one of the greatest shooters I’ve ever played with,” McMillan said. “He can definitely spread the floor. He’s going to be a mismatch problem too — a 6-7 guard who can handle the ball, post, score from all three levels.”